CVE-2023-28064 Overview
Dell BIOS contains an Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability (CWE-787) that affects a wide range of Dell client systems including laptops, desktops, and workstations. An unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the affected device may potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to denial of service conditions.
Critical Impact
Physical attackers can trigger system instability and denial of service by exploiting memory corruption in the BIOS, potentially rendering affected Dell systems inoperable until BIOS recovery or replacement.
Affected Products
- Dell Alienware M15 R6/R7 (Gaming Laptops)
- Dell Inspiron Series (3511, 3520, 5310, 5320, 5410, 5420, 5620, 7420, 7510, 7610, and various 14/15/16-inch models)
- Dell Latitude Series (3120, 3320, 3330, 3420, 3430, 3520, 3530, 5320, 5330, 5520, 5530, 5531, 7330, 7430, 7530, Rugged 5430, Rugged 7330)
- Dell OptiPlex Series (3000, 5000, 5400, 7000, 7000 OEM, 7400, 7410 All-in-One)
- Dell Precision Workstations (3560, 3570, 3571, 5760, 5770)
- Dell Vostro Series (3420, 3510, 3520, 3910, 5310, 5320, 5410, 5510, 5620, 7510, 7620)
- Dell XPS Series (13 9315 2-in-1, 17 9710, 17 9720)
- Dell G15 Gaming (5510, 5511, 5520)
- Dell Chengming (3900, 3901)
Discovery Timeline
- June 23, 2023 - CVE-2023-28064 published to NVD
- November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-28064
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability represents an out-of-bounds write condition in Dell BIOS firmware, classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). The flaw exists within the BIOS code responsible for handling certain memory operations during system initialization or runtime BIOS functions.
Out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities occur when software writes data past the end or before the beginning of an intended buffer. In the context of BIOS firmware, such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because BIOS operates at the highest privilege level (Ring -2/Ring -1 in the platform security model) and has direct access to hardware resources.
When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables an attacker to corrupt BIOS memory regions, potentially causing system crashes, boot failures, or persistent denial of service conditions. The physical access requirement significantly limits the attack surface, but in scenarios such as supply chain attacks, insider threats, or physical theft of devices, this vulnerability could be leveraged to disable enterprise systems.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper bounds checking within the Dell BIOS code when processing certain inputs or data structures. The BIOS fails to adequately validate buffer boundaries before performing write operations, allowing data to be written outside the allocated memory region.
This type of vulnerability typically arises from:
- Missing or insufficient length validation before memory copy operations
- Incorrect calculation of buffer sizes during dynamic memory allocation
- Failure to account for edge cases in data parsing routines within UEFI/BIOS modules
Attack Vector
The vulnerability requires physical access to the target system for exploitation. An attacker must be able to interact directly with the hardware, potentially through:
- Direct manipulation of the system during boot process
- Accessing BIOS/UEFI setup interfaces
- Exploiting BIOS update mechanisms through physical interface access
- Leveraging removable media or peripheral devices during system initialization
The attacker does not require prior authentication or user interaction to exploit this vulnerability. Once physical access is obtained, the exploitation does not require elevated privileges on the operating system level, as the attack occurs at the firmware layer before the OS loads.
The exploitation could involve crafting malicious input that triggers the out-of-bounds write condition, corrupting critical BIOS data structures and causing the system to become unbootable or unstable.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-28064
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected system crashes or failures during POST (Power-On Self-Test) sequences
- BIOS corruption indicators such as failed boot attempts or checksum errors
- Evidence of unauthorized physical access to systems (tampered chassis, broken security seals)
- Anomalous firmware version mismatches across fleet devices
Detection Strategies
- Implement hardware-based firmware integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized BIOS modifications
- Utilize Dell BIOS verification tools and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) measurements to validate firmware authenticity
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of monitoring pre-boot environment changes
- Conduct regular firmware audits comparing installed BIOS versions against the known-good baseline
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Secure Boot and maintain strict control over trusted keys to prevent unauthorized firmware execution
- Monitor physical security controls and access logs for devices in shared or public locations
- Configure BIOS administrative passwords and enable chassis intrusion detection where available
- Integrate firmware health telemetry with SIEM solutions to detect anomalous boot patterns across the enterprise
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-28064
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all affected Dell systems in your environment using the affected product list from Dell Security Advisory DSA-2023-174
- Prioritize BIOS updates for systems with elevated physical access risk (public kiosks, shared workstations, portable devices)
- Implement enhanced physical security controls for vulnerable systems pending firmware updates
- Configure BIOS administrator passwords to restrict unauthorized configuration changes
Patch Information
Dell has released BIOS security updates to address this vulnerability. Administrators should download and apply the latest BIOS firmware from the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2023-174 or directly from Dell Support drivers and downloads for their specific model.
BIOS updates can be deployed using:
- Dell Command Update for individual systems
- Dell Command Configure for scripted deployments
- Dell BIOS Connect for network-based recovery
- Manual BIOS flash via bootable USB media
Organizations should test BIOS updates in a controlled environment before broad deployment to ensure compatibility with existing configurations.
Workarounds
- Implement strict physical access controls including locked server rooms, cable locks for laptops, and chassis intrusion detection
- Enable BIOS-level passwords to prevent unauthorized access to firmware settings and boot configuration
- Configure Secure Boot to maintain firmware integrity validation during the boot process
- Consider BitLocker or similar full-disk encryption with TPM binding to detect unauthorized firmware changes
# Example: Dell Command Update CLI for BIOS update
# Check current BIOS version
dcu-cli.exe /version
# Scan for available BIOS updates
dcu-cli.exe /scan -report="C:\Reports"
# Apply BIOS updates (requires reboot)
dcu-cli.exe /applyUpdates -reboot=enable -autoSuspendBitLocker=enable
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
